Methods for controlling apparatuses having an emergency alert function

ABSTRACT

An apparatus such as a television signal receiver provides an emergency alert function and an auxiliary information display function. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a tuner operative to tune signals including emergency alert signals associated with the emergency alert function. A processor is operative to enable a disabled user setting for the auxiliary information display function responsive to the emergency alert signals.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and all benefits accruing from twoprovisional applications filed in the United States Patent and TrademarkOffice on Nov. 15, 2002, and there assigned Ser. Nos. 60/426,640 and60/426,865.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to apparatuses such astelevision signal receivers having an emergency alert function, and moreparticularly, to techniques for controlling such apparatuses whichincrease the likelihood that users receive important informationconcerning emergency events.

2. Background Information

Emergency events such as severe weather, natural disasters, fires, civilemergencies, war acts, toxic chemical spills, radiation leaks, or othersuch conditions can be devastating to unprepared individuals. Withweather-related emergencies, authorities such as the National WeatherService (NWS) and the National Oceanographic and AtmosphericAdministration (NOAA) are generally able to detect severe weatherconditions prior to the general public. Through the use of modernweather detection devices, such as Doppler radar and weather satellites,the NWS and NOAA are able to issue early warnings of severe weatherconditions which have saved many lives. However, for such warnings to beeffective, they must be communicated to their intended recipients.

Certain apparatuses are capable of receiving emergency alert signalsprovided by sources such as the NWS and NOAA, and provide an emergencyalert function using Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) technology.Apparatuses using SAME technology typically require a user to perform asetup process for the emergency alert function by selecting items suchas one or more geographical areas of interest, and one or more types ofemergency events which activate the emergency alert function. Once thesetup process is complete, the emergency alert function may be activatedwhen incoming emergency alert signals including SAME data indicate theoccurrence of an emergency event which corresponds to the geographicalarea(s) and types of emergency event selected by the user during thesetup process. When the emergency alert function is activated, an alertoutput such as an audio and/or visual message may be provided to alertindividuals of the emergency event.

With apparatuses using technology such as SAME technology, a problemexists in that certain alert outputs may not be provided in someinstances. For example, an apparatus such as a television signalreceiver may include an auxiliary information display function such as aclosed caption display function which may be used to provide visualalert outputs such as text messages to notify individuals of emergencyevents. Moreover, the auxiliary information display function may beturned on and off selectively by a user through a setup process for thenormal operation of the television signal receiver. Accordingly, if theemergency alert function of the television signal receiver is activatedwhile the auxiliary information display function is turned off, visualalert outputs notifying individuals of an emergency event may not bedisplayed. As a result, individuals may fail to receive importantinformation concerning the emergency event.

Another problem may occur if the emergency alert function is activatedwhen the television signal receiver is not receiving an operating videosignal. For example, this may occur if the emergency alert function isactivated while a video input of the television signal receiver isconnected to another video device such as a video cassette recorder(VCR), digital versatile disk (DVD) player or other device which isturned off. In such an instance, if a visual alert output such as a textmessage is provided, it may be displayed over an undesirable background,such as a “snowy” background. As a result, the text message may bedifficult or impossible to read and individuals may therefore fail toreceive important information concerning the emergency event.

Accordingly, there is a need for techniques for providing alert outputswhich avoid the foregoing problems, and thereby increase the likelihoodthat users receive important information concerning emergency events.The present invention addresses these and other issues.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an apparatushaving an emergency alert function is disclosed. According to anexemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises tuning means for tuningsignals including emergency alert signals associated with the emergencyalert function. Processing means are provided for enabling a disableduser setting for an auxiliary information display function of theapparatus responsive to the emergency alert signal.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method forcontrolling an apparatus having an emergency alert function isdisclosed. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method comprisessteps of tuning signals including emergency alert signals associatedwith the emergency alert function, and enabling display of a defaultscreen responsive to the emergency alert signals.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, atelevision signal receiver having an emergency alert function isdisclosed. According to an exemplary embodiment, the television signalreceiver comprises a tuner operative to tune signals including emergencyalert signals associated with the emergency alert function. A processoris operative to enable a disabled user setting for an auxiliaryinformation display function of the television signal receiverresponsive to the emergency alert signals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention,and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and theinvention will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary environment suitable for implementing the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a television signal receiver according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram providing further details of the processor andmemory of FIG. 2 according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram providing further details of the videoprocessor of FIG. 2 according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps according to oneaspect of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps according to anotheraspect of the present invention.

The exemplifications set out herein illustrate preferred embodiments ofthe invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed aslimiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, anexemplary environment 100 suitable for implementing the presentinvention is shown. In FIG. 1, environment 100 comprises signaltransmission means such as signal transmission source 10, dwelling meanssuch as dwelling units 15 (i.e., 1, 2, 3 . . . N, where N may be anypositive integer), and signal receiving means such as television signalreceivers 20.

In FIG. 1, dwelling units 15 may represent residences, businesses and/orother dwelling places located within a particular geographical area,such as but not limited to, a particular continent, country, region,state, area code, zip code, city, county, municipality, subdivision,and/or other definable geographical area. According to an exemplaryembodiment, each of the dwelling units 15 is equipped with at least onetelevision signal receiver 20 having an emergency alert function.According to the present invention, the emergency alert function enablestelevision signal receiver 20 to receive emergency alert signals andprovide one or more alert outputs to notify individuals of an emergencyevent. As will be discussed later herein, television signal receiver 20also includes an auxiliary information display function, such as aclosed caption function, which may be used to provide a visual alertoutput to notify individuals of an emergency event.

According to an exemplary embodiment, signal transmission source 10transmits signals including audio, video and/or emergency alert signalswhich may be received by each television signal receiver 20. Accordingto an exemplary embodiment, the emergency alert signals may be providedfrom an authority such as the NWS, or other authorities such asgovernmental entities or the like. Signal transmission source 10 maytransmit the emergency alert signals in their original form as providedby the authority, or may append digital data representative of theemergency alert signals to other data, or may modify the emergency alertsignals in some manner appropriate for its specific transmission formatneeds. In response to the emergency alert signals, each televisionsignal receiver 20 may provide one or more alert outputs to therebynotify individuals of the emergency event. Signal transmission source 10may transmit signals to television signal receivers 20 via any wired orwireless link such as, but not limited to, terrestrial, cable,satellite, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL), and/or any othertype of broadcast and/or multicast means.

Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment oftelevision signal receiver 20 of FIG. 1 is shown. In FIG. 2, televisionsignal receiver 20 comprises signal receiving means such as signalreceiving element 21, tuning means such as tuner 22, audio processingmeans such as audio processor 23, audio output means such as speaker 24,decoding means such as decoder 25, processing and memory means such asprocessor and memory 26, display means such as front panel display (FPD)27, video processing means such as video processor 28, display meanssuch as display 29, signal receiving means such as signal receivingelement 31, tuning means such as tuner(s) 32, intermediate frequency(IF) filtering means such as one or more IF filters 33, IF processingmeans such as IF processor 34, band pass filter (BPF) means such as BPF35, audio processing means such as audio processor 36, and audio outputmeans such as speaker 37. Some of the foregoing elements may for examplebe embodied using integrated circuits (ICs). For clarity of description,certain conventional elements of television signal receiver 20 includingcertain control signals may not be shown in FIG. 2.

Signal receiving element 21 is operative to receive signals includingaudio signals from signal sources, such as signal transmission source 10in FIG. 1. According to an exemplary embodiment, received audio signalsmay include digitally encoded emergency alert signals. Signal receivingelement 21 may be embodied as any signal receiving element such as anantenna, input terminal or other element.

Tuner 22 is operative to tune signals including audio signals providedfrom signal receiving element 21. According to an exemplary embodiment,tuner 22 is capable of tuning audio signals on at least the followingdesignated NWS frequencies: 162.400 MHz, 162.425 MHz, 162.450 MHz,162.475 MHz, 162.500 MHz, 162.525 MHz and 162.550 MHz. Other frequenciesmay also be tuned. As previously indicated herein, such audio signalsmay additionally include digitally encoded emergency alert signals.

Audio processor 23 is operative to process audio signals provided fromtuner 22. According to an exemplary embodiment, audio processor 23demodulates such audio signals to thereby generate demodulated audiosignals representing audio content such as an NWS audio message, awarning alert tone and/or other audio content. Audio processor 23 isfurther operative to amplify the demodulated audio signals. Speaker 24is operative to aurally output the amplified audio signals provided fromaudio processor 23.

Decoder 25 is operative to decode signals including demodulated audiosignals provided from audio processor 23. According to an exemplaryembodiment, decoder 26 decodes such audio signals to thereby extractdigitally encoded frequency shift keyed (FSK) signals, which representemergency alert signals indicating an emergency event. According to thisexemplary embodiment, the emergency alert signals include datacomprising specific area message encoding (SAME) data associated withthe emergency event. SAME data comprises a digital code representinginformation such as the specific geographical area affected by theemergency event, the type of emergency event (e.g., tomado, toxicchemical spill, radiation leak, civil emergency, etc.), and theexpiration time of the event alert. SAME data is used by the NWS andother authorities to improve the specificity of emergency alerts and todecrease the frequency of false alerts. Other data and information mayalso be included in the emergency alert signals according to the presentinvention.

Processor and memory 26 are operative to perform various processing anddata storage functions of television signal receiver 20. According to anexemplary embodiment, processor 26 receives the emergency alert signalsfrom decoder 25 and determines whether the emergency alert function oftelevision signal receiver 20 is activated based on data included in theemergency alert signals. According to this exemplary embodiment,processor 26 compares data in the emergency alert signals to data storedin memory 26 to determine whether the emergency alert function isactivated. As will be described later herein, a setup process for theemergency alert function of television signal receiver 20 allows a userto select items such as an applicable geographical area(s), and type(s)of emergency events (e.g., tornado watch, radiological hazard warning,civil emergency, etc.) which activate the emergency alert function.

According to an exemplary embodiment, when the emergency alert functionis activated, processor 26 outputs one or more control signals whichenable various operations. According to an exemplary embodiment, suchcontrol signals may enable a disabled user setting for an auxiliaryinformation display function, such as a closed caption, teletext, orother such display function, associated with television signal receiver20. Once the auxiliary information display function is enabled, suchcontrol signals may further enable one or more alert outputs including avisual alert output, such as a text message, using the auxiliaryinformation display function to thereby notify individuals of anemergency event. Such control signals may also enable other operationsof television signal receiver 20, such as causing it to be switched froman off/standby mode to an on mode, and/or enabling display of a default(e.g., blue) screen which may be used as a background for the visualalert output provided via the auxiliary information display function.According to an exemplary embodiment, processor 26 may also perform adata slicing operation to facilitate the auxiliary information displayfunction of television signal receiver 20 which enables auxiliaryinformation displays such as closed caption displays, teletext displays,etc. Further details regarding the aforementioned aspects of the presentinvention will be provided later herein.

FPD 27 is operative to provide visual displays including informationsuch as the operational state of the emergency alert function oftelevision signal receiver 20, and information regarding emergencyevents. According to an exemplary embodiment, FPD 27 is a viewabledisplay panel including one or more indicator elements. Such indicatorelements may for example include any type of visual indicator such aslight emitting diode (LED) or liquid crystal display (LCD) lamp(s),monochrome and/or colored liquid quartz display (LOD) indicators, plasmadisplay indicators, and/or conventional lights used in consumerelectronic products.

Video processor 28 is operative to process signals including videosignals provided from IF processor 34. According to an exemplaryembodiment, video processor 28 may process video signals having embeddedauxiliary information such as NWS text messages, messages that provideinformation regarding emergency events, and/or other messages. As willbe described later herein, video processor 28 may perform a data slicingoperation to facilitate the auxiliary information display function oftelevision signal receiver 20 which enables auxiliary informationdisplays such as closed caption displays, teletext displays, etc.Display 29 is operative to provide visual displays corresponding toprocessed signals provided from video processor 28. According to anexemplary embodiment, display 29 may provide visual displays includingthe aforementioned messages that provide information regarding emergencyevents.

Signal receiving element 31 is operative to receive signals includingaudio and/or video signals from signal sources, such as signaltransmission source 10 in FIG. 1. Signal receiving element 31 may beembodied as any signal receiving element such as an antenna, inputterminal or other element.

Tuner(s) 32 includes one or more tuners and is operative to tune signalsincluding audio and/or video signals provided from signal receivingelement 31 to thereby generate IF signals. Tuner(s) 32 may include morethan one tuner to facilitate a picture-in-picture (PIP) function oftelevision signal receiver 20. According to an exemplary embodiment,tuner(s) 32 may receive an automatic gain control (AGC) signal from IFprocessor 34, as indicated in FIG. 2. One or more IF filters 33 areoperative to filter the IF signals provided from tuner(s) 32. Accordingto an exemplary embodiment, IF filter(s) 33 may be embodied as surfaceacoustic wave (SAW) filters having a split arrangement, wherein one IFfilter 33 filters audio signals and another IF filter 33 filters videosignals.

IF processor 34 is operative to process filtered IF signals providedfrom IF filter(s) 33. According to an exemplary embodiment, IF processor34 demodulates the filtered IF signals, and provides demodulated audioand video signals to audio processor 36 and video processor 28,respectively. IF processor 34 may accommodate split audio and video IFsignal inputs. BPF 35 is operative to filter audio IF signals. Accordingto an exemplary embodiment, BPF 35 may provide a 4.5 MHz pass band andinclude one or more filters for optimizing television audio quality.

Audio processor 36 is operative to process audio signals provided fromIF processor 34. According to an exemplary embodiment, audio processor36 demodulates such audio signals to thereby generate demodulated audiosignals. Audio processor 36 is further operative to amplify thedemodulated audio signals. Speaker 37 is operative to aurally output theamplified audio signals provided from audio processor 36.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram providing further details ofprocessor and memory 26 of FIG. 2 according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention is shown. In particular, FIG. 3 shows anexemplary embodiment in which processor 26 may perform a data slicingoperation to facilitate the auxiliary information display function oftelevision signal receiver 20. In FIG. 3, processor and memory 26comprise interface means such as serial interface 26 a, data slicingmeans such as data slicer 26 b, on-screen display (OSD) processing meanssuch as OSD processor 26 c, and other functional means such as otherprocessor and memory functions 26 d. According to an exemplaryembodiment, the elements of processor and memory 26 shown in FIG. 3 maybe embodied using an IC such as an ST92196 model available from STMicroelectronics.

Serial interface 26 a is operative to receive emergency alert signalsfrom decoder 25, and provide the received emergency alert signals toother processor and memory functions 26 d for processing as previouslydescribed herein. According to an exemplary embodiment, serial interface26 a may include direct memory access (DMA) capabilities.

Data slicer 26 b is operative to receive video signals from videoprocessor 28 and perform a data slicing operation to thereby extractauxiliary information such as closed caption, teletext and/or other suchinformation representing NWS text messages, messages that provideinformation regarding emergency events, and/or other messages embeddedwithin the received video signals. Such auxiliary information may forexample be extracted from the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of atelevision signal.

OSD processor 26 c is operative to process signals including theemergency alert signals received via serial interface 26 a and theauxiliary information extracted by the data slicing operation of dataslicer 26 b. According to an exemplary embodiment, OSD processor 26 cprovides digitally processed outputs such as red, green, and blue (RGB)signals along with horizontal and vertical synchronization informationto video processor 28 to thereby enable auxiliary information such asclosed caption, teletext and/or other such information to be displayedon top of the video. The other processor and memory functions 26 dinclude functions such as SAME data processing, data storage, datacommunication (e.g., bus), control, and/or other functions.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a block diagram providing further details ofvideo processor 28 of FIG. 2 according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention is shown. In particular, FIG. 4 shows an exemplaryembodiment in which video processor 28 may perform a data slicingoperation to facilitate the auxiliary information display function oftelevision signal receiver 20. In FIG. 4, video processor 28 comprisespicture processing means such as main picture and PIP processor 28 a,data slicing means such as data slicer 28 b, and data formatting meanssuch as formatter 28 c. According to an exemplary embodiment, theelements of video processor 28 shown in FIG. 4 may be embodied using anIC such as a VY22402B model available from Phillips.

Main picture and PIP processor 28 a is operative to receive and processthe video signals provided from IF processor 34 for a main picture and aPIP. According to an exemplary embodiment, main picture and PIPprocessor 28 a performs functions such as analog-to-digital conversion,adaptive comb filtering, chrominance demodulation, sample rateconversion, synchronization processing, and/or other functions.

Data slicer 28 b is operative to receive video signals from main pictureand PIP processor 28 a and perform a data slicing operation to therebyextract auxiliary information such as closed caption, teletext, and/orother such information representing NWS text messages, messages thatprovide information regarding emergency events, and/or other messagesembedded within the received video signals. Such auxiliary informationmay for example be extracted from the VBI of a television signal. Dataslicer 28 b provides the extracted auxiliary information to formatter 28c. It is noted that the data slicing operation may be performed byprocessor 26 or video processor 28. Accordingly, if processor 26includes data slicer 26 b as shown in FIG. 3, then data slicer 28 b maybe omitted from video processor 28 in FIG. 4. Conversely, if videoprocessor 28 includes data slicer 28 b as shown in FIG. 4, then dataslicer 26 b may be omitted from processor 26 in FIG. 3.

Formatter 28 c is operative to format digital signals including theprocessed outputs from OSD processor 26 c, the auxiliary informationfrom data slicer 28 b, and the processed video signals from main pictureand PIP processor 28 a. According to an exemplary embodiment, formatter28 c may include means for automatically detecting the processed outputsfrom OSD processor 26 c, and for inserting such outputs into videosignals for the main picture.

Turning now to FIG. 5, a flowchart 500 illustrating exemplary stepsaccording to one aspect of the present invention is shown. For purposesof example and explanation, the steps of FIG. 5 will be described withreference to television signal receiver 20 of FIG. 2. The steps of FIG.5 are merely exemplary, and are not intended to limit the presentinvention in any manner.

At step 501, a user setup process may be performed for various functionsof television signal receiver 20. According to an exemplary embodiment,a user may perform the setup process at step 501 by providing inputs totelevision signal receiver 20 (e.g., using a remote control device notshown) responsive to an on-screen menu displayed via display 29. Such anon-screen menu may for example be part of an electronic program guide(EPG) function of television signal receiver 20.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the setup process of step 501enables a user to control functions including an auxiliary displayfunction of television signal receiver 20, such as a closed caption,teletext or other such display function, by turning the function on oroff. In this manner, a user may selectively enable or disable theauxiliary display function, and thereby permit or prevent auxiliaryinformation from being displayed. The setup process of step 501 alsoenables a user to make various selections regarding the emergency alertfunction of television signal receiver 20. According to an exemplaryembodiment, the user may select at least the following items for theemergency alert function during the setup process of step 501:

A. Enable/Disable—The user may select whether to enable or disable theemergency alert function.

B. Frequency Selection—The user may select the monitoring frequency totune to in order to receive emergency alert signals. For example, theuser may select a frequency such as one of the following NWStransmission frequencies: 162.400 MHz, 162.425 MHz, 162.450 MHz, 162.475MHz, 162.500 MHz, 162.525 MHz and 162.550 MHz. The selection of amonitoring frequency may for example be facilitated through a frequencyscanning operation which scans various frequency channels to therebyidentify the monitoring frequencies that provide the highest signalstrength.

C. Geographical Areas—The user may select one or more geographical areasof interest. For example, the user may select a particular continent,country, region, state, area code, zip code, city, county, municipality,subdivision, and/or other definable geographical area. According to anexemplary embodiment, such geographical area(s) may be represented inmemory 26 by location data, such as one or more Federal InformationProcessing Standard (FIPS) location codes.

D. Event Types—The user may select one or more types of emergency eventswhich activate the emergency alert function. For example, the user maydesignate that events such as civil emergencies, radiological hazardwarnings, and/or tornado warnings activate the emergency alert function,but that events such as a thunderstorm watch does not, etc. The user mayalso select whether the conventional warning audio tone provided by theNWS and/or other alert mechanism activates the emergency alert function.According to the present invention, different severity or alert levels(e.g., statement, watch, warning, etc.) may represent different“events.” For example, a thunderstorm watch may be considered adifferent event from a thunderstorm warning.

E. Alert Outputs—The user may select one or more alert outputs to beprovided when the emergency alert function is activated. According to anexemplary embodiment, the user may select visual and/or aural outputs tobe provided for each type of emergency event that activates theemergency alert function. For example, the user may select to display avisual message (e.g., an NWS text message as a closed caption display)and/or tune television signal receiver 20 to a specific channel. Theuser may also for example select to aurally output a warning tone (e.g.,chime, siren, etc.) and/or an audio message (e.g., NWS audio message),and the desired volume of each. Moreover, the alert outputs may beselected on an event-by-event basis. Other types of alert outputs mayalso be provided according to the present invention.

According to the present invention, other menu selections may also beprovided at step 501 and/or some of the menu selections described abovemay be omitted. Data corresponding to the user's selections during thesetup process of step 501 is stored in memory 26.

At step 502, television signal receiver 20 monitors the frequencyselected by the user during the setup process of step 501 (i.e., item B)for emergency alert signals. According to an exemplary embodiment, tuner22 monitors the selected frequency and thereby receives incomingemergency alert signals. According to the present invention, televisionsignal receiver 20 is capable of monitoring a frequency and receivingemergency alert signals during all modes of operation, including forexample when television signal receiver 20 is turned on, turned off,and/or during playback of recorded audio and/or video content. At step503, a determination is made as to whether the emergency alert functionof television signal receiver 20 is activated. According to an exemplaryembodiment, processor 26 makes this determination by comparing dataincluded in the incoming emergency alert signals to data stored inmemory 26. As previously indicated herein, the emergency alert signalsmay include data such as SAME data which represents informationincluding the type of emergency event (e.g., tornado watch, radiologicalhazard warning, civil emergency, etc.) and the specific geographicalarea(s) affected by the emergency event. According to an exemplaryembodiment, processor 26 compares this SAME data to corresponding usersetup data (i.e., items C and D of step 501) stored in memory 26 tothereby determine whether the emergency alert function is activated. Inthis manner, the emergency alert function of television signal receiver20 is activated when the emergency event indicated by the emergencyalert signals corresponds to: (1) the geographical area(s) selected bythe user for item C of step 501 and (2) the event type(s) selected bythe user for item D of step 501.

If the determination at step 503 is negative, process flow loops back tostep 502 where tuner 22 continues to monitor the selected frequency.Alternatively, if the determination at step 503 is positive, processflow advances to step 504 where processor 26 determines whethertelevision signal receiver 20 is in the on mode (i.e., turned on). Ifthe determination at step 504 is negative, process flow advances to step505 where processor 26 outputs one or more control signals to therebyswitch television signal receiver 20 from the off/standby mode to the onmode.

If the determination at step 504 is positive or following step 505,process flow advances to step 506 where processor 26 determines whetherthe auxiliary information display function of television signal receiver20 is enabled. As previously indicated herein, the auxiliary displayfunction of television signal receiver 20 may include a closed caption,teletext or other such display function, and a user may selectivelyenable or disable the auxiliary display function during the setupprocess of step 501 by turning the function on or off, respectively.Accordingly, processor 26 determines at step 506 whether the auxiliarydisplay function of television signal receiver 20 is currently turnedon.

If the determination at step 506 is negative, process flow advances tostep 507 where processor 26 outputs one or more control signals tothereby enable (i.e. turn on) the auxiliary display function oftelevision signal receiver 20. If the determination at step 506 ispositive or following step 507, process flow advances to step 508 whereprocessor 26 outputs one or more control signals to thereby enable andprovide one or more alert outputs. According to an exemplary embodiment,the alert output(s) provided at step 508 includes an auxiliaryinformation display, such as a closed caption, teletext or other suchdisplay.

Other types of alert outputs may also be provided at step 508, and suchalert outputs may be aural and/or visual in nature. According to anexemplary embodiment, aural outputs such as a warning tone, an NWS audiomessage and/or other aural output may be provided at step 508 viaspeaker 37, and the volume of such aural outputs may be controlled inaccordance with the volume level set by the user during the setupprocess of step 501. Visual outputs may also be provided at step 508 viadisplay 29 to notify individuals of the emergency event. According to anexemplary embodiment, an auxiliary information display such as an NWStext or other message and/or a video output from a specific channel maybe provided at step 508 via display 29 under the control of processor26.

At step 509, processor 26 may output one or more control signals tomaintain the original user setting for the auxiliary information displayfunction of television signal receiver 20. Accordingly, if thedetermination at step 506 was negative (i.e., auxiliary informationdisplay function was disabled), processor 26 outputs one or more controlsignals at step 509 to thereby switch the user setting for the auxiliaryinformation display function back to its original, disabled state.Alternatively, if the determination at step 506 was positive (i.e.,auxiliary information display function was enabled), processor 26 simplykeeps the user setting for the auxiliary information display function inits current enabled state at step 509. In this manner, the original usersetting for the auxiliary information display function of televisionsignal receiver 20 is maintained. According to an exemplary embodiment,step 509 may be initiated after processor 26 detects the end of the SAMEdata message which ends with a hexadecimal code of “NNNN.”

According to one variation of the steps of FIG. 5, processor 26 mayperform steps 506 and 507 every time emergency alert signals aredetected, regardless of whether such emergency alert signals activatethe emergency alert function of television signal receiver 20. Accordingto this variation, processor 26 may detect the emergency alert signalsby detecting the preamble of the SAME data message, which is ahexadecimal code including sixteen bytes of “AB” followed by “ZCZC.”Once the preamble is detected, steps 506 and 507 may be performed. Alsoaccording to this variation, step 509 may be performed after processor26 detects the end of the SAME message, as discussed above. Othervariations of the steps of FIG. 5 may also be performed according to thepresent invention. For example, the SAME message may be processed andstored for possible display at the same time as processor 26 determineswhether the emergency alert function is activated. In such a case,processor 26 may enable the auxiliary display function responsive to thepreamble of the SAME message, while simultaneously determining whetherthe emergency alert function is activated. If the emergency alertfunction is activated, the stored SAME message may then be retrievedfrom memory 26 for display.

Turning now to FIG. 6, a flowchart 600 illustrating exemplary stepsaccording to another aspect of the present invention is shown. Forpurposes of example and explanation, the steps of FIG. 6 will bedescribed with reference to television signal receiver 20 of FIG. 2. Thesteps of FIG. 6 are merely exemplary, and are not intended to limit thepresent invention in any manner. In FIG. 6, steps 601 to 605 aresubstantially identical to steps 501 to 505 of FIG. 5, respectively.Accordingly, for clarity of description these steps will not bedescribed again, and the reader may refer to the description of steps501 to 505 previously provided herein.

At step 606, a determination is made as to whether an active videosignal input to television signal receiver 20 is present. According toan exemplary embodiment, processor 26 may detect this condition at step606 if, for example, a video input of television signal receiver 20 isconnected to another video device such as a VCR, DVD player or otherdevice which is turned off. The determination at step 606 may be madeusing various techniques, such as by detecting valid synchronizationsignals and/or active AGC signals.

If the determination at step 606 is negative, process flow advances tostep 607 where a default screen is activated. According to an exemplaryembodiment, the default screen is a blue screen, although other types ofdefault screens may also be used. For example, any default screen whichis not derived from an active video source may be used. Accordingly, thedefault screen activated at step 607 may be some sort of flat videofield with or without color information.

If the determination at step 606 is positive or following step 607,process flow advances to step 608 where processor 26 outputs one or morecontrol signals to thereby enable and provide one or more alert outputs.According to an exemplary embodiment, the alert output(s) provided atstep 608 includes an auxiliary information display, such as a closedcaption, teletext or other such display, which is overlaid upon thedefault screen. In this manner, the default screen serves as abackground for the auxiliary information display and thereby makes thedisplay more easily readable. Other types of alert outputs may also beprovided at step 608, such as the aural and/or visual alert outputspreviously described herein with reference to step 508. However, it maybe desirable to mute audio outputs at step 608 since the auxiliaryinformation display, which may not be linked to audio outputs, may beshorter in duration and more desirable than an audio output message. Thedecision to mute audio outputs is a matter of user preference, and maybe specified by the user through the setup process of step 601.

It should also be appreciated that the principles of the presentinvention reflected in FIGS. 5 and 6 may be combined. For example,processor 26 may be programmed to perform steps 506 and 507 of FIG. 5,as well as steps 606 and 607 of FIG. 6. In this manner, the receipt ofemergency alert signals and/or the activation of the emergency alertfunction may cause television signal receiver 20 to enable the auxiliaryinformation display function as described at step 507, and also toenable display of a default screen as described at step 607.

As described herein, the present invention provides, among other things,techniques for providing alert outputs which increase the likelihoodthat users receive important information concerning emergency events.The present invention may be applicable to various apparatuses, eitherwith or without a display device. Accordingly, the phrase “televisionsignal receiver” as used herein may refer to systems or apparatusescapable of receiving and processing television signals including, butnot limited to, television sets, computers or monitors that include adisplay device, and systems or apparatuses such as set-top boxes, VCRs,DVD players, video game boxes, personal video recorders (PVRs),computers or other apparatuses that may not include a display device.

While this invention has been described as having a preferred design,the present invention can be further modified within the spirit andscope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended tocover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using itsgeneral principles. Further, this application is intended to cover suchdepartures from the present disclosure as come within known or customarypractice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fallwithin the limits of the appended claims.

1. An apparatus having an emergency alert function, comprising: tuningmeans for tuning signals including emergency alert signals associatedwith said emergency alert function; and processing means for enabling adisabled user setting for an auxiliary information display function ofsaid apparatus responsive to said emergency alert signals.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said auxiliary information displayfunction includes a closed caption display function.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said processing means further enables an alert outputusing said auxiliary information display function responsive to saidemergency alert signals.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein saidprocessing means further disables said user setting for said auxiliaryinformation display function after said alert output is enabled.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said processing means further enablesdisplay of a default screen responsive to said emergency alert signals.6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said default screen is a bluescreen.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein: said processing meansfurther enables an alert output using said auxiliary information displayfunction responsive to said emergency alert signals; and said alertoutput includes a visual message overlaid upon said default screen.
 8. Amethod for controlling an apparatus having an emergency alert function,comprising: tuning signals including emergency alert signals associatedwith said emergency alert function; and enabling display of a defaultscreen responsive to said emergency alert signals.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein said default screen is a blue screen.
 10. The method ofclaim 8, further comprised of enabling an alert output responsive tosaid emergency alert signals, and wherein said alert output includes avisual message overlaid upon said default screen.
 11. The method ofclaim 8, further comprised of enabling a disabled user setting for anauxiliary information display function of said apparatus responsive tosaid emergency alert signals.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein saidauxiliary information display function includes a closed caption displayfunction.
 13. The method of claim 11, further comprised of enabling analert output using said auxiliary information display functionresponsive to said emergency alert signals.
 14. The method of claim 13,further comprised of disabling said user setting for said auxiliaryinformation display function after said alert output is enabled.
 15. Atelevision signal receiver having an emergency alert function,comprising: a tuner operative to tune signals including emergency alertsignals associated with said emergency alert function; and a processoroperative to enable a disabled user setting for an auxiliary informationdisplay function of said television signal receiver responsive to saidemergency alert signals.
 16. The television signal receiver of claim 15,wherein said auxiliary information display function includes a closedcaption display function.
 17. The television signal receiver of claim15, wherein said processor is further operative to enable an alertoutput using said auxiliary information display function responsive tosaid emergency alert signals.
 18. The television signal receiver ofclaim 17, wherein said processor is further operative to disable saiduser setting for said auxiliary information display function after saidalert output is enabled.
 19. The television signal receiver of claim 15,wherein said processor is further operative to enable display of adefault screen responsive to said emergency alert signals.
 20. Thetelevision signal receiver of claim 19, wherein said default screen is ablue screen.
 21. The television signal receiver of claim 19, wherein:said processor is further operative to enable an alert output using saidauxiliary information display function responsive to said emergencyalert signals; and said alert output includes a visual message overlaidupon said default screen.